Straightening apparatus



Dec. 18, 1962 o'. CLI-:VER

STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS INVENTOR. TTU CLE VER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1956 o fn ,A

Dec. 18, 1962 o. cLEvER 3,068,931

STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS Filed July 2. 1956 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4. Llw. 9" v X: l @/19 INVENTOR. E@ -15 arru CLEVER De@ 13 1962 o. cLEvER 3,068,931

l STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS Filed July 2. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 21u usb |60 27 le lsu l J Il? 7 55 16/ 27h 3' lsb FSG. I4.

INVENTOR Otto Clever United States Patent O 3,068,931 STRAIGHTENIN G APPARATUS Otto Clever, Hagen, Germany; Kthe Viktoria Lulse Clever, sole heir of said Otto Clever, deceased Filed July 2, 1956, Ser. No. 595,208 Claims. (Cl. 153-93) This invention relates to apparatus for straightening tubes, bars and structural or similar members and has particular reference to improved straightening apparatus adapted to straighten tubes and bars of any shape while progressively non-rotatably advanced through the apparatus.

Presently known apparatus for straightening tubes and bars eiect simultaneously feeding and straightening of work pieces by interdependent, directly driven straight or hyperbolical rolls, the adjustment of which is rather difficult due to their interdependence `and the driving action of which -mars and damages nish of work pieces.

Other known types `of straightening apparatus with hyperbolical straightening rolls adjustably carried by Ia. single rotating member in addition to the damage to the finish of work pieces effect increase or decrease in the advancement `of the work pieces through the apparatus, which advancement is partly controlled by the diameter of work pieces to be straightened.

Still other known types of straightening apparatus include straightening sleeves eccentrically adjustably mounted on a si-ngle rotating member. In these apparatus the straightening sleeves are also interdependent with respect to each other, so that their adjustment eifects a change in the direction of straightening pressure applied to work pieces.

The general object of the present invention is the provisio-n of a new and practical apparatus for straightening tubes and bars of any shape, which apparatus includes individual straightening sleeves arranged for independent individual adjustment with respect -to each other to permit an individual adjustment of the straightening pressure, the direction of the straightening pressure and application of straightening `forces at any desired points of work pieces.

Such a general object of the invention according to the invention is attained by providing an apparatus in which straightening sleeves are supported in individual shiftable supporting units to permit individual adjustment of the straightening sleeves by eccentrical and joint eccentrical and concentrical movements of the straightening sleeves in the supporting units.

Another object of the invention therefore is the provision of an apparatus for straightening tubes and bars of any cross section, which apparatus embodies a plurality of individual axially rotated supporting cylinders and a straightening sleeve in each of said cylinders rotatably adjustably mounted therein by intersleeved, rotatably adjustable bearing members `formed with eccentric bores, one of the intersleeved bearing members being concentrically adjustably supported in a supporting cylinder and the other one of the intersleeved Ibearing members supporting in its eccentric bore the straightening sleeve.

This arrangement permits individual adjustment of the straightening sleeves to exert rthe desired straightening pressure in proper radial direction and also permits proper spacing of the pressure areas on work pieces.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a straightening apparatus of the type referred -to above constructed to permit adjustment of the straightening pressure of a straightening sleeve by rotary `axial adjustment of a bearing member supporting in its eccentric bore the straightening sleeve and adjustment of the direction of the straightening pressure by rotary axial adjustment 3,068,931 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 ice of a second bearing member which mounts in an eccentric bore the iirst bearing member.

Inladdition to the above described objects, [the invention has other marked improvements and superiorities which radically distinguish it from presently known structures. These improvements or superior characteristics embodying certain novel lfeatures of construction are clearly set forth in lthe appended claims, and a preferred embodiment 'of the invention is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a straightening apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged frequentary horizontal plan View, partly in section of the straightening apparatus shown in FIG. 1`

FIG. 3 is a transversal sectional view or' line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a transversal sectional view on line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 through 13 are diagrammatic views of the straightening pressures, their directions and the respective settings of the bearing members in the supporting sleeves; thus FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic vview of the straightening apparatus with tubing inserted therein and straightening sleeves in their zero position, that is, axially aligned with the tube.

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5, straightening sleeves being shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic end view of the position of the straightening sleeves in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a diagrarnatic View of the straightening apparatus with tubing inserted and straightening sleeves adjusted to the desired depth of straightening pressure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8, straightening sleeves and applied straightening pressures being indicated in dotted lines.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic end view of the position of the straightening sleeves in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the straightening apparatus with tubing inserted and straightening sleeves adjusted to the desired depth of straightening pressures and radial direction of such pressure.

FIG. l2 is a side view of FIG. 1l, straightening sleeves and applied straightening pressures being indicated in dotted lines.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic end view 0f the position of the straightening sleeves in FIG, 11.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of part of one straightening unit, taken in the same plane as FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the exemplified form of the straightening apparatus shown in the drawings, reference numeral 2 denotes a base which has axially adjustably mounted thereon straightening units 3, 4 and 5, each of which includes a housing 6 and rotatably supports in said housing an outer cylinder member 7 by means of ball bearings 8 and 9. Cylinders 7 of straightening units 3, 4 and 5 are jointly rotated by a drive shaft 10 mounting gears 11 which mesh with gears 12 on cylinders 7. Each of these cylinders supports in its bore a straightening sleeve 14 which is rotatably adjustably journaled therein by intersleeved inner and intermediate bearing members 15 and 16 including eccentric bores 17 and 18, respectively. Eccentric bore 17 of bearing member 15 rotatably supports in ball bearings 1,9 straightening sleeve 14 and eccentric bore 18 of bearing member 16 rotatably adjustably supports the bearing member 15. This support of straightening sleeve 14 permits adjustable lateral shifting of stra-ightening sleeve 14 with respect to the axis ofV cylinder 7 when bearing member 15 is adjustably rotated in eccentric bore 18 of bearing member 16, so that adjustable rotation of bearing member 15 in the eccentric bore of bearing member 16 `controls the olf-center position of straightening sleeve 14 with respect to the axis of cylinder 7, as will be readily seen from inspection of FIGS. 7 and 10, showing in FIG. 7 the relative positions of bearing members 15 of straightening units 3, 4, 5 and in FIG. 10 the relative positions of these bearing members when adjusted to the desired straightening pressure.

However, rotatory adjustment of bearing members 15, as indicated in FIG. 9, changes the direction of the straightening pressures of straightening sleeves 14 on worl; piece 19. Thus, after adjustment, straightening units 3 and 5 have their straightening pressures applied in a direction indicated by arrow 20 and straightening unit 4 has its straightening pressure applied in a direction angularly related to the direction of the straightening pressures above referred to as indicated by arrow 21. As proper straightenng of work piece 19 can be effected only by pressures applied in a single straight plane, the direction of the described straightening pressures must be adjusted by concentric rotation of bearing members in cylinder 7, all as indicated in FIG. 12, so that such bearing pressures of the straightening sleeves 14, marked by arrows 20', 21', will be applied -in a single plane intersecting the axis of the work piece.

Adjustment of straightening sleeves 14 in units 3, 4 and 5 is facilitated by scales 22 and 23 indicating rotation of bearing members 15 and 16 with respect to each other and cylinder 7.

It will be understood that after each adjustment, the members 15 and 16 are non-rotatably secured to each other and to the cylindrical member 7. Thus, member 16 is held in its adjusted position with respect to the cylinder 7 by set screws 31 which pass through arcuate slots 1611 in the ange portion 16a of the member 16 and which are threaded into bores 27h drilled into the end wall portion 27a of the outer member 7. Member 1S is held in its adjusted position relative to the member 16 by an end plate 34 which is secured to the member in any suitable manner, as, for example, by set screws 35 which are received in corresponding bores 16e. The end plate has a shoulder portion 36 which engages a retaining ring 15a that clamps against the member 15.

Axial adjustment of units 3, 4 and 5 with respect to each other is caused by screw members 24 swiveled to base 2 at 25 and threadedly engaged with lugs 26 on straightening units 3 and 5.

Preferably, cylinder 7 of each straightening unit includes radial slots 27 `facilitating disposal of scale or other particles through discharge opening 28 in housing 6 of the straightening unit.

In straightening operations work piece 19, an elongated tube or bar of circular, structural or any other cross section, is non-rotatably advanced along the main work axis of the apparatus with a desired speed by pairs of rollers 29, 3G and while advancing subjected to straightening pressures by straightening sleeves 14 arranged in continuously rotated cylinders 7 of straightening units i3, 4 and 5. Prior to such straightening operations, the straightening units are axially spaced with respect to each other by actuation of screw members 24, then straightening sleeves 14 are individually adjusted to the desired depth of straightening pressure by rotatory adjustment of bearing members 15 in the eccentric bore ofy bearing member 16 and, nally, sleeves 14 are individually adjusted by adjustably rotating bearing members 16 in cylinder 7 to apply straightening pressures in a single straight plane intersecting the axis of the work piece to be straightened.

Mounting and construction of straightening units 3, 4 and 5 as described permits individual independent adjustment of the units to any desired straightening pressure at desired points and proper individual adjustment of each of the straightening sleeves to effect the desired proper straightening of work pieces with desired straightening pressures at proper direction of such straightening pressures.

The members 15 and 16 are adjusted as follows: the set screws 35 are loosened, thus allowing the member 15 to be rotated within the eccentric bore 18 of member 16. After the member 15 has been placed in the desired position, the set screws 35 are tightened so that the members 15 and 16 are coupled together, through the intermediary of the ring 15a, so as to be in frictional engagement with each other. The set screws 31 are then loosened, and the two frictionally coupled members 15 and 16 are rotated together within the cylinder 7, the arcuate slots 161; permitting such rotation, until the desired adjusted position is reached. The set screws 31 are then tightened so that the members 15 and 16 are held in position with respect to the cylinder 7.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a straightening apparatus for straightening elongated work pieces, the combination which comprises: a base; a plurality of at least three straightening units arranged in alignment along a work axis, each of said units having a support mounted on said base, an outer member rotatably mounted on said support, an intermediate member carried by said outer member in such a manner that the angular position of said intermediate member is adjustable with respect -to said outer member, said intermediate member being formed with an eccentric bore, an inner member arranged within said eccentric bore of said intermediate member and being rotatable therewithin to assume dierent adjusted positions relative thereto, said inner member itself being formed with an l eccentric bore, and a straightening sleeve arranged with said eccentric bore of said inner member; and means for rotating the outer members of all of said units at the same rotational speed.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the support of each of said units is mounted on said base for axial movement relative thereto and to the other units.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said members of said units carry scales for indicating their setting with respect to each other.

4. The combination deiined in claim 1 wherein the outer member of each unit is formed with at least one radial passage and wherein each unit further has a housing encompassing said outer member and formed with a radial outlet passage in axial alignment with said radial passage of said outer member, whereby loose scales and metal particles may pass from the interior of said outer member to the outside of said housing.

5. The combination dened in claim 4 wherein the outer member of each unit is formed with a plurality of radial passages arranged in the same radial plane.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 998,087 Greiner July 18, 1911 1,221,384 Sleeper Apr. 3, 1917 1,229,981 Lehmann June 12, 1917 1,456,217 Brightman May 22, 1923 1,473,256 Shuster Nov. 6, 1923 2,084,746 Roberts June 22, 1937 2,347,904 Gruelich May 2, 1944 2,438,240 Trudeau Mar. 23, 1948 2,487,141 Kehl Nov. 8, 1949 2,709,924 Castelli June 7, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 222,663 Great Britain Oct. 9, 1924 502,492 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1939 410,498 Italy Apr. 13, 1945 

